Angels beat Rangers 7-6, gain ground in AL wild-card race

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — C.J. Cron hit a two-run homer to cap the Angels’ five-run rally in the sixth inning, and Los Angeles trimmed its deficit in the AL wild-card race to two games with a 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night.

Andrelton Simmons had two run-scoring singles for the Angels (75-72), who gained a game on the Minnesota Twins (77-70) with just their third win in eight games.

Los Angeles used seven pitchers in a bullpen start, with former closer Bud Norris getting the first six outs. Yusmeiro Petit (5-0) pitched two perfect innings, and Blake Parker earned a six-out save.

Choo hits home run for Rangers

Shin-Soo Choo

Shin-Soo Choo hit a two-run homer in the sixth for Texas (72-75). The Rangers have lost four straight and six of seven, their playoff hopes down to a flicker.

The Texas Rangers and Angels play game two of their 3-game series tonight at 8:07 p.m. CDT. You can listen to the game in Texarkana on Fox Sports Radio 1400 (KKTK).

In Camden, Arkansas you can listen to Texas Rangers baseball on Fox Sports Radio 92.7 FM (KBEU). In Atlanta, Texas the Rangers are carried live on KPYN 900 AM and 95.5 FM. In Vivian, Louisiana; the Rangers games are live on 1320 AM ESPN, KNCB-AM. In Glenwood, Arkanasas the Texas Rangers games are live on Caddo Country Radio 98.9 FM (KHGZ).